In 2004, MDCH convened a panel of experts, the Infant Safe Sleep Work Group, to consider this problem. A 2003 study had just been released that reported increasing deaths of infants who suffocated on sofas, chairs or adult beds, while suffocation deaths in cribs had decreased. Data on cases of infant suffocation showed: Infants become wedged between the mattress and wall or headboard and asphyxiate. Infants fall from beds and couches, sometimes onto a pile of clothing or plastic, which then causes suffocation. The surface of water beds and couches are soft and can suffocate infants who are placed on or roll onto their stomach or sides. Adults and/or other children sleeping on the same surface can overlay or otherwise block the airway of infants. MDCH's own Child Death Review Team reported that 78% of infant sleep-related deaths occurred on sleeping surfaces not designed for infants and 55% occurred while bed-sharing. Blankets, pillows and stuffed toys were factors in 49% of infant's sleep-related deaths. "MDCH" Pages: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next